Girl's Day Out

Saturday morning, I met BCPE at the high school to go over the upcoming basketball schedule with the coach; we needed to get prepared to assign team dinner hosts, which we will do at tonight's winter sports meeting.

We had also planned to spend the afternoon working on some projects for the football banquet that will take place on Wednesday night and figured that we may as well get all of our obligations done in one day.

Then, since we are not actually gluttons for punishment (contrary to popular belief), we spent a couple of hours browsing at a crafts fair in Hooterville. The fair was a blast, not only did we get to sample a ton of locally made goodies, but, we got to meet the winner of the Food Network's Cake Wars, who happens to be from Pixler. Mom and I had watched the episode in which she won and so I immediately began to fan-girl all over her like she was an actual celebrity or something; she took it really graciously.

After sampling her salted caramel cupcakes, BCPE and I meandered around the rest of the booths...

... before heading out for lunch at one of my favorite micro-breweries. The we headed back to her house to start our projects, which, we finished in a marathon session that required several cups of strongly brewed tea (her) and a large bottle of Diet Pepsi (me, but, I've been really good about not drinking a lot of soda lately, I swear). I was ready for a good night's sleep by the time I got home, but, we can say that we are prepared for the banquet.

And, I can say that I had a really enjoyable day with a friend. I can think of worse ways to spend a Saturday.

Friday Favorites: Things That Brought a Tear to My Eye

I know, you just read the title of the post and thought to yourself "What doesn't bring a tear to her eye, lately? Sheesh!" and, you have a point; I'll own that.

Anyway, earlier today, I attended the Veterans Day assembly held at the high school. I was at the school anyway, for meetings with clients as well as to drop off the cookies that I bought at the store, because I am too lazy to bake baked for the reception following the assembly (my ASTRA club has been hosting the reception as part of our community service since we chartered in 2010), so, I decided to listen in on the assembly.

I am so glad I did. The keynote speaker was a WWII vet who had graduated from Petticoat Junction High in 1939. He began his speech by telling the students that Veterans Day, previously known as Armistice Day, was a day for him to honor his fellow vets as well as a day to celebrate his own birth; today, he turned 92. He went on to regale the kids with stories of the high school back in the day, as well as stories about his service in Germany and France. His stories highlighted the many sacrifices that vets made-and continue to make-for our country, and he impressed upon them the importance of supporting current military personnel.

When he wrapped up his speech, some forty minutes or so later (he is, as he reminded us, 92; his train of thought was bound to jump the track sometimes), the kids spontaneously burst into a round of Happy Birthday, singing with all their hearts.

So, yes, I cried a little. Sue me.

I also teared up when the school band launched into the Armed Services Medley and the veterans in the audience stood as the song representing their branch of service played. I may also have leaked a little when Taps was played and then again as the colors were retired following the ceremonies.

I've gone soft.

On the other hand, given the current emotional climate in our country, a little softness won't hurt anyone.

Thank you, veterans! Thank you for your service.

Words to Live By

"Let us neither express, nor cherish, any harsh feeling towards any citizen who, by his vote, has differed with us. Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling." - Abraham Lincoln

It's Election Night

And never have I been happier that we decided to ditch the land line than I have been this year; I didn't miss the never ending political robo-calls one iota. I only wish I could say that the television and internet hadn't made up for the robo-calls 100%, but, alas, they did.

I don't know what the outcome of this election is going to be. I don't know how much more divided we can get as a nation without completely falling apart. I don't know if voting for the "lesser of two evils" is actually the best way to look at the voting process, but, that is essentially what we ended up with this year and I'm pretty sure that isn't what the founding fathers had in mind.

Come what may, tomorrow, I sure hope we can pull together and rebuild the America that they did have in mind.

Is It Bedtime Yet?

It must be, because it's been dark since 4:30.

I haaaaates this time change. I detest the short, dark days. I despise going to work in the dark and returning at the end of the day, also in the dark. I abhor the lack of sunlight in which to take good photos, and I loathe the fact that it will take my body several days to get used to the "gift" of this additional hour. Newsflash: There are still 24 hours in the day, no matter how you cut it, we did not get an extra hour!!!

I could go on, but, I've exhausted my vocabulary of synonyms for the word hate. And, I am exhausted in general.

I'm going to bed.

Football Photo Dump

While organizing my picture files today, it occurred to me that I had not posted nearly as many football pictures as I took over the course of the season, which, no doubt seems impossible given the number of pictures that I have posted, but, 'tis true, I swear.

This may indicate a problem of the "I take way too many photos" variety. Maybe.

Anyway, if a picture really is worth a thousand words, then I hope the following pictures tell a rich story of how much I have enjoyed these boys, their parents, my family, and this stupid game that you used to have to pay me to watch.

(And, somewhere, my Dad is having a really good chuckle)

Proof Positive That I Am Losing It

Last night, Guinness woke me up with a sneezing fit that lasted far longer than I would have thought a four pound cat capable of; ten or more sneezes in a row. Of course, I immediately diagnosed him with some fatal cat respiratory disease and then I tossed and turned with worry, preventing me from falling back to sleep for at least an hour, although it felt like ten.

In the light of day, he appears healthy enough, so, I probably need not have worried quite so much.

In other news of my neurosis, The Hallmark Channel is showing schmaltzy Christmas movies 24/7; I may-or may not-have already cried over sappy romances, toddlers in plaid holiday pajamas, puppies gifted in shiny boxes on Christmas day, and/or the inevitable "I do believe in Santa" moment inherent in each and every one of those stupid ass movies.

Hey, I said I may have.

I may have also come thisclose to losing my composure when driving the Man-Cub back from his doctor's appointment in Neighboring City last week; we were chatting about Christmases when he and QB were young, and, for just a second, I pictured them both so clearly (in plaid holiday pajamas,  pulling the lid off a shiny blue box in which sat a plump and squirmy Baby Rowdie), that it took my breath away for a second. Then, something totally got in my eye, and I had to take a moment to recover.

Or, so I told the Cub; I don't think he bought it.

I am assuming that all of this weepiness is a symptom of The Change, although, I have continued to entertain Aunt Flo on a monthly basis (too much information? Sorry!), so, what the hell do I know?

I might just be getting soft in my old age. I guess that beats crazy, right?

That was a rhetorical question.